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IF I HAD the money I’d buy…
A car with a powerful V8 mid-mounted engine, an interior designed with input by Michael Schumacher and an exterior designed by Maestro Pininfarina. I’d buy a head turning car supercar with curb appeal turned up to eleven. I’d buy a Ferrari 458 Italia.
Why a Ferrari 458 Italia?
Ferrari has stopped making the 458 Italia so there is only a limited number of these left to buy. And when things are in short supply desirability increases.
The 458 Italia has a 4.5L V8 engine and when this motor first hit the market that made it the most powerful and highest-revving V8-powered production car in Ferrari’s history.
It is capable of producing 562hp at 9,000rpm and 540NM of torque at 6,000rpm and it has three exhaust tips - the central one works on normal speeds and the other two open up on higher accelerations. Schumacher had a say in the cabin design, and you can tell – the steering wheel is attached to the dashboard, much like a race car.
What’s special about this particular one?
This 2012 example with 17,702km (11,000 miles) on the clock is in great condition and stuns in its Rosso Scuderia Red coat. It sits on top of striking 20-inch lightweight alloys with carbon ceramic brakes.
Inside, the cabin is classy and elegant with the racing seats finished in red stitched Nero Carbon leather and Alcantara. It gives it more of a race car feel, and this particular car also has the F1 automatic transmission. You don’t see many of these beauties on Irish roads, so you would certainly turn heads if you were to own it.
What does it look like in action?
Here’s the official video by Ferrari showing not one but two 458 Italias challenging each other on the Mugello circuit and in the Tuscan hills. Listen to that noise. Phwoar!
Who else drives one?
This particular model of Ferrari is very popular with major stars from the worlds of music and sport.
Akon, remember him? He drives a Ferrari 458 Italia (as does Justin Bieber, but don’t let that put you off).
Ozzy Osbourne and Simon Cowell own 458 Italias and Italian footballer Mario Balotelli drives one, as does Frank Lampard and basketball superstar Kobe Bryant. Eric Clapton owns a custom Ferrari SP12 EC that was built from a Ferrari 458 Italia.
It costs €175,000. What else could you get for the money?
For the same money you could have this Volvo 9700 bus with room for 55 passengers.
…or this four bed farmhouse in Tipperary.
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Some improvement from 4 days and stops/hops.
Aptly dubbed the kangaroo flight.
@Eamonn Duggan: although, just because they can fly non stop doesn’t mean they should. 17 hours stuck in a seat is almost too much to bare. I’d still break up the flight by stopping somewhere in Asia. Nice step forward all the same. I’d say in another 10 years it will be half that.
@Peter Cavey: With scram jet technology we should be able to travel from Sydney to London in 2hours. Although we might have to be fit enough to be able to withstand the G-forces involved. Looking forward to the next few years of this hypersonic test flights.
@Peter Cavey: how are they gonna half the time in 10 years ??
@Paul Power: With supersonic craft on a sub-orbital trajectory, akin to an ICBM.
@Eamonn Duggan: It is a big improvement on “4 stops”. However I’m sure you are of the Australian route these days is one of three from Ireland.
1..Dublin – Doha- Australia ( various cities)…. Qatar Airways Daily.
2…Dublin – Abu Dhabi – Australia ( various cities)…. Etihad Airways twice daily.
3…Dublin -Dubai – Australia ( various cities) .. Emirates. Twice daily.
All routes take 16 to 20 hours depending on destinations.
I would suggest also the mid-east airlines are far superior to Australian carrier Qantas in terms of comfort and service.
Brave route, but doubtful if it will last.
That’s a long time to be stuck in recirculated farts. Wouldn’t do it meself but class that it can be done! I’m also wondering how many meals are served. 3/4?
@Gareth Wogan: and tbh all the worthwhile places to see in Oz are on the east coast so….
@Gareth Wogan: lot to see in the west. Just depends what you consider ‘worthwhile’.
@Bilbo Baggins: name 5 good things to do.
@Gareth Wogan: Personally I prefer western Australia. It’s a shame most people tend to travel up and down the east coast.
@Gareth Wogan: I flew the Dubai – Auckland a couple years ago, 17.5hrs. Think we got 4 meals in economy. Surprisingly comfortable and a very modern, up to date entertainment system. Made the journey much easier than I thought.
@darren: I was there few months back. I guess what I want to say is that for all that way to travel it doesn’t really have lots going on. Lots of wine tours and went to rottnest island which is cool but east coast has way more things to do. I should say that I really don’t like Oz anyway. Asia is the spot to go
@Gareth Wogan: I went to WA via Thailand and wish I had stayed longer. WA actually made me want to return to Australia to see the east side ( I went via Japan and again wished I had stayed longer). Although I will agree the east has more to do I liked the west better. Rottnest.. beautiful walk, I did that in 45 degrees which wasn’t the smartest idea! Would love to see more of Asia but I may have to wait for the kids to grow up now.
It’s about the same length of time as waiting in A&E in the hospital (17 hrs). so I could cope with That!
@Gerry Fallon: Very true, the A&E seats are not so comffortable and no food or drink provided.
17 hours is a long time to be stuck on a plane…I hope they show plenty of movies.
@CharlotteFrench.ie: They have are normal long haul flights
Time in the air comfort is down to the plane and the carrier.
787 Dreamliner is the quietest, most comfortable plane I’ve been on to date.
Qantas air cabin crew are quite cheery too.
If travelling for that length of time one would frequently get up and walk around. The 787
has a load of space at the back, larger than any other plane I’ve seen. This feeds in to a happier crew
and good exercise room for a passenger to ward off DVT.
Tesla time to step up your game…
@Karl Doran: Putin has this sorted. Just need to strap yourself to one of his missiles
I’d hate to be stuck on a plane for that length of time
A complete mare. 17 hours in cattle class on Quaintarse. Why would you do it. Insane!!!
@Alex Carroll: The novelty is the same as Concorde, without cconsidering the waiting time in airports.
Give us a break!
It’s not the first time, there were scheduled services before I believe using a B777-200LR (which to this day is still the longest range passenger aircraft excluding military tankers) Not sure which airline but I think it was quantas. They stopped it for a few reasons, as it was discovered that there’s only so long you can put people in economy. Then there was a brief period of business class only flights and in the end the fuel burn just made the whole thing uneconomic.. 787 fuel burn is probably what’s making this viable again.. anyone know if the 787-9 has longer legs than the triple?
Fair play, great to see this and will hopefully get faster in a few years time
It is a big improvement on “4 stops”. However I’m sure you are of the Australian route these days is one of three from Ireland.
1..Dublin – Doha- Australia ( various cities)…. Qatar Airways Daily.
2…Dublin – Abu Dhabi – Australia ( various cities)…. Etihad Airways twice daily.
3…Dublin -Dubai – Australia ( various cities) .. Emirates. Twice daily.
All routes take 16 to 20 hours depending on destinations.
I would suggest also the mid-east airlines are far superior to Australian carrier Qantas in terms of comfort and service.
Brave route, but doubtful if it will last for reasons above
have your say